“It’s the life we chose,” Mantis answered.
She nodded. “I guess dinner is over. Excuse me.”
He and Shiver watched her walk in the direction of the ladies’ room.
“Anything I can help with?” Mantis asked once she was out of earshot.
“Thanks, but I don’t think so,” Shiver answered.
Mantis nodded. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
Shiver nodded in return. “What about you?”
“Come again?”
“Anything I can help with?”
Mantis looked over his shoulder to where Dutch and Alegria were deep in conversation. “I don’t think there’s much hope.”
Shiver shook his head. “You’re wrong.”
“What makes you think so.”
“Alegria loves you; she always will.”
“What if that isn’t enough?”
“I’m wondering that myself, mate.”
Mantis had no idea what Shiver was referring to. Regardless, they obviously weren’t talking about him and Alegria any longer.
—:—
“What’s happening?” Alegria asked when Dutch led her out the front door of the restaurant.
“I don’t know all the details yet, but there’s an op.”
“How soon will you be deploying?”
“Right away. Doc’s arranging transport to California as we speak.”
“I’ll go straight to Manhattan, then.”
Dutch cupped her cheek with his palm. “I wish I didn’t have to leave tonight.”
“Me too.”
When he leaned down and kissed her, she wrapped her arms around his waist. As she had so many times before, she wished she felt the same level of passion for him as she always had for Mantis. No matter how much she wanted it, she’d never been able to force it.
“I gotta go,” Dutch said, taking her arms from his waist. “Do you want me to give you a lift back to the terminal?”
“No, I can catch a cab. Go if you need to.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again before pulling her against him and kissing her a second time. “I’ll call when I know more.”
Alegria nodded and waved as he climbed into a waiting car. Was she imagining that he was saying more than goodbye for the duration of the mission, or had Dutch just said farewell to her forever?
When she went back inside, she saw Mantis and Shiver alone at the table. She was about to turn around and leave when Mantis waved her over.